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Cruise Tips

Whether you’re planning your first cruise or you’ve lost count of how many you’ve taken, I’ve put together everything I’ve learned: the things that save you money, the mistakes worth avoiding and the details that actually make a difference onboard.

sky princess mini suite balcony cabin review

5 Cruise Cabin Arguments You Can Easily Avoid

08/06/202608/06/2026

Sharing a cruise cabin sounds easy enough… until two people are trying to live together in one small space for a week. Cruise cabins are compact, storage is limited, and there’s usually only one small bathroom. Even small habits can … Read more

Tags arguments, cabin sharing, cabins, Hints and tips, space saving, unpacking
costa smeralda inside cabin bed

Why Booking The Cheapest Cabin Might Mean A Smoother Cruise

07/05/2026

Lots of people will tell you that upgrading to a balcony or suite will mean your cruise will be better in every way. When it comes to movement, cheaper cabins can actually be located in the most stable places on … Read more

Tags balcony, cabin, cheap cabin, inside, location, Seasickness, suite
excursion bus southern caribbean

5 Things I Hate About Cruise Line Excursions (And What I Do Instead)

20/04/2026

I’ve done loads of cruise line excursions over the years. Some have been great, but often, I end up feeling disappointed. They aren’t cheap, and it doesn’t always seem like you are getting good value for your money. Really, I … Read more

Tags coach trips, Cruiseline excursions, hop on hop off buses, independent excursions

5 Cruise Tips I Ignore (And Why)

14/04/2026

Every cruiser you ask seems to have a good “cruise tip” to pass on to you. Some of these are useful, but I totally ignore others because I just don’t agree with them. Here are some of the “useful” cruise … Read more

Tags cruise tips, drinks packages, excursions, inside cabins, money saving cruise tips, ports
Emma in headphones

Don’t Book A Noisy Cruise Cabin – Check These 5 Things First

14/04/2026

When booking your cabin for your cruise, there are a few things to keep in mind. Where your cabin is on the ship – and what is above and below it – can greatly impact your time onboard. It is … Read more

Tags bar, deck plans, night club, noise, pool deck, public areas, soundproof cabins, theatre
Aurora inside cabin storage

What I Do With Dirty Clothes On A Cruise (Most People Don’t)

13/04/2026

Cruise cabins are small… and keeping them organised makes a huge difference. At home, you might have a massive laundry basket to hide dirty washing away in. You might have a chair piled with clothes that are not dirty enough … Read more

Tags Hints and tips, laundry, packing, packing cubes
Emma cruise Norwegian Encore Alaska

If I Was Taking My First Cruise, Here’s EVERYTHING I’d Want To Know

11/02/2026

Step 1: Choose Where To Cruise Where you choose to cruise will have a huge impact on your cruise experience. It’s not all about beaches and hot destinations! You might want to take a cold-weather cruise to Norway or an … Read more

Tags Booking, cruise info, cruising guide, first time cruiser, Hints and tips, solo cruising
Emma Cruises on Marella Voyager

Taking Your First Cruise in 2026? 67 Things You Need to Know

21/02/202619/01/2026

Are you considering your first cruise in 2026 or 2027? This article will guide you from pre-cruise through to disembarkation, helping you avoid costly, time-consuming mistakes. I have included tips from seasoned cruisers on a range of cruise-related topics. Use … Read more

Tags cruise tips, disembarkation, embarkation, first time cruising, packing
Celebrity infinity main dining room Emma Cruises White Dress

Is It Possible to Avoid Table Sharing on a Cruise Line Where It’s The Default?

07/01/2026

I’ve been on cruises with Fred Olsen, P&O, MSC and Ambassador where I have been assigned a shared table with strangers for dinner. These aren’t the only cruise lines that do it but some cruise lines like NCL and Marella … Read more

Tags Ambassador Cruise Line, Cunard, fixed time dining, Fred Olsen, MSC, table sharing, traditional
Ambassador Ambience upgrade bid.

Bidding for a Cruise Upgrade: Scam or Success?

07/01/2026

With many cruise lines, like MSC, Royal Caribbean and Cunard, you can bid for an upgrade to your cruise cabin. The idea is that you offer to pay more to upgrade your cabin category, but not the full amount the … Read more

Tags Ambassador Cruise Line, bid to upgrade, cabin upgrade, money saving
Ocean view cabin

Porthole vs Picture Window: The Big Difference Between Two “Oceanview” Cabins

08/12/2025

I have grown to love oceanview cabins over the years, and seem to be booking them more and more often. They can provide a good upgrade from an inside cabin for a comparatively small cost. Often, the price of an … Read more

Tags cabin location, money saving cruise tips, Oceanview cabin, Porthole
Emma Cruises Carnival Miracle ship

Watch Out For Cruise Sales at These Times of the Year (Many People Miss Them)

26/11/2025

Cruise lines run sales throughout the year, not just on Black Friday. Knowing when these sales are likely to happen will help you understand people’s typical cruise booking patterns. It will make you realise that these well-advertised sales aren’t always … Read more

Tags Black Friday, Booking, cruise deals, Sales, Wave Season
Emma Cruises top deck QM2

I’ve Tried Every Seasickness Remedy – Here’s What Actually Works For Me

16/11/2025

I took a Transatlantic crossing onboard the last Ocean Liner at sea, Queen Mary 2, in winter. That probably wasn’t a very sensible plan, as I know that I get seasick when things get rough. I had always wanted to … Read more

Tags cabin location, Hints and tips, medication, medications, Seasickness, seasickness patches

I Tried The Seasickness Patch: My Reaction Was Scary and I’ll Never Do It Again

16/11/2025

People are often surprised to find that I occasionally get seasick. Not just seasick, I am a travel-sick person in general – I can feel ill in cars, buses, and coaches – and I have done so all my life. … Read more

Tags Norwegian Aqua, Seasickness, seasickness patches, side effects, vision
MSC Preziosa inside cabin

5 Checks to Do Before You Leave Your Cruise Cabin for the Last Time

15/10/2025

Disembarkation morning often feels rushed, and it’s surprisingly easy to leave things behind in your cabin. Before you shut the door for the last time, take a minute to run through these quick checks. It could save you a lot … Read more

Tags cabins, cruise tips, disembarkation, passports
Emma cruises and laptop

I Left My Laptop at the Cruise Port – Here’s What Happened

15/10/2025

A few years ago, when I was quite new to YouTube, I was invited on a trip onboard P&O’s Britannia. I sailed to the Norwegian Fjords from Southampton, and I had a wonderful week away with my mum. I always … Read more

Tags britannia, Laptop, Norway, Norwegian Fjords, press trip

3 Things You Should Do When You Get Home From a Cruise

13/09/2025

Returning home from a cruise can feel a bit flat, but there are a few simple tasks that make life easier and help you hold onto the wonderful memories of your cruise. These three steps will keep you organised, protect … Read more

Tags cruise planning, documentation, embarkation

Cruise Ship Minibars: Why I Always Avoid Them

10/09/2025

Cruise cabins feel like nice hotels, and the minibar is often sitting there looking tempting but I will never touch it, unless I am travelling on a luxury cruise line. There are lots of reasons I don’t use the minibar … Read more

Tags additional charges, cruise info, drinks, minibar, moneysaving cruise tips

Tracking a Walk on a Cruise Ship? Don’t Make This Big Mistake

10/09/2025

Lots of cruisers like to track their steps or log walks during their holiday. Cruise ships are great places to get steps in, with endless flights of stairs, promenades, and jogging tracks. If you have a tracker with built-in GPS, … Read more

Tags Apple Watch, Fitbit, fitness, jogging track, promenade deck, Steps, walking
Emma cruises squirty squash

Why I Bring Squash on Every Cruise (and What It Actually Is)

10/09/2025

Drinks on a cruise can be expensive, and depending on the cruise line, options for free drinks can be limited. One thing I always pack when I travel is a small bottle of “squirty squash.” Not everyone knows what squash … Read more

Tags about me, money saving, Squash, Squirty Squash
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Hey hey hey, I'm Emma and I LOVE cruising! I took my first cruise when I was 11 and I've been hooked ever since. I create cruise content across YouTube, this website and my social accounts, all with the aim of helping you to find, and take your perfect cruise. 48,000 people receive my best cruise tips, insights and guides every week. You can join them for free by clicking here.

I co-founded The Cruise Globe, the cruise tracker app, where you can track, share and relive cruises like never before (for free!). 🌍🚢

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